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Total of Eight Kilos of Cocaine Seized in Investigation of Large Scale Drug Trafficking Ring in Springfield

December 1, 2016 -Springfield MA- Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni today announced the arrest of Grisseli Soto, 38 of Springfield, Ma. She has been charged with; Trafficking in Cocaine Greater than 200 Grams and Conspiracy to Violate Narcotic Drug Laws.

Her arrest is directly connected with the alleged large scale cocaine trafficking ring announced Wednesday. The other four arrest in connection with this investigation are: Hiram Martinez, 31, Jose Polaco, 42, Eveliz Gonzalez, 44, and Kimberly Spaeth-Barta, 50, all of Springfield, Massachusetts and all charged with Trafficking in Cocaine Greater than 200 Grams and Conspiracy to Violate Narcotic Drug Laws.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “I would like to thank the members of the Hampden County Narcotics Task Force and the U.S. Postal Service, for their continued hard work and professionalism, which resulted in the additional arrest of a high-level trafficker whose removal from our community will appreciably reduce the amount of drugs on our streets and improve public safety. We are continually focused on investigating, arresting, and aggressively prosecuting drug dealers and traffickers. It is they who profit from the scourge of addiction, which destroys lives, families, and communities.”

After becoming aware of a large scale cocaine importation and trafficking ring in the Springfield area, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Hampden County Narcotic Task Force and U.S. Postal Inspection Service initiated an investigation.

The subsequent investigation revealed the alleged suspects, Hiram Martinez and Kimberly Spaeth-Barta, were receiving in excess of 20 kilograms of cocaine per month in packages that were sent from an organization in Puerto Rico. Once received, Eveliz Gonzalez would then allegedly facilitate deliveries that were eventually brought to Jose Polaco.

The necessary search warrants were secured and executed on November 29, 2016 and over four kilograms of cocaine and approximately $50,000 was seized. Participating in the arrest was the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni’s Office, members of the Springfield Police Department, the U.S. Postal Service and the United States Department of Homeland Security.

On November 30, 2016, after further investigation into this alleged large scale cocaine trafficking ring, it was revealed that Jose Polaco and his wife Grisseli Soto rented a storage unit together in the Springfield area. After applying for and being granted the necessary search warrant for the storage unit an additional four kilos of cocaine were recovered. This is an on-going investigation.

Already arraigned in Springfield District Court:

Hiram Martinez, the Commonwealth asked for $250,000 cash bail, bail set at $100,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on January, 6, 2017 for a bindover hearing.

Jose Polaco, the Commonwealth asked for and bail set at $500,000 cash. He is scheduled to appear in court on January, 6, 2017 for a bindover hearing.

Eveliz Gonzalez, bail was set at $5,000 cash. She is scheduled to appear in court on January, 6, 2017 for a bindover hearing.

Kimberly Spaeth-Barta, bail was set at $5,000 cash. She is scheduled to appear in court on January, 6, 2017 for a bindover hearing.